Nance Mace’s Ex-Chief of Staff Apparently Dislikes Her So Much He’s Preparing to Run Against Her
AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib
Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-SC) ex-chief of staff is reportedly weighing a primary challenge against his old boss.
Politico reports that Dan Hanlon, who was named Mace’s top staffer in 2022 before leaving her office last month is meeting with potential donors and campaign staff as he considers jumping in the race.
From the report:
Hanlon has until South Carolina’s March 30 filing deadline to decide on a run, though candidates usually need to get their operations up and running early if they want to be competitive, particularly against incumbents. Any primary challenge to Mace could get serious attention from the upper ranks of the House GOP, where some feelings are still bruised by her surprising vote to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) back in October.
“Hanlon has been pleased with how well the idea has been received and how many people are looking for a Mace alternative, both money people in D.C. and movers and shakers in S.C.,” one of the Republicans familiar with his decision-making said.
While primary challenges are nothing new on the Hill, it’s rare to see a member face a direct challenge from a top aide who departed weeks earlier. Hanlon is well-positioned to expose Mace’s weak points during a primary battle, given his high-level knowledge of her office. But if he runs, he’d also leave himself open to counter-attacks from her backers that he’s motivated by a grudge against his former employer.
Mace has made a name for herself as a rabble-rouser on Capitol Hill, frustrating both conservative hardliners and moderate Republicans alike.
She attracted quite a bit of attention last fall when she joined a group of rebels led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in an ultimately successful effort to eject former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position.
While Mace explained her decision by arguing that McCarthy had broken promises to her, McCarthy told members of the press that Hanlon told him that he had kept his word and had said as much to Mace herself.
